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Contributor

Joined 10 years ago

Italian comfort food in a cozy Chapel Hill setting.. The Scene
Although Pazzo has a convenient pizza takeout window, it's the restaurant's intimate dining room that helped earn its reputation as a favorite neighborhood bistro. Patrons kick back at the semicircular wood bar, enjoying antipasto and Valpolicella. Golden color-washed walls are warmly lit by sconces, while large window panes offer views of the patio.

The Food
The theme is Italian with an emphasis on seafood. For appetizers, try the delicate crispy oysters over baby spinach. The steamed Maine mussels are pleasing--but the best part is dipping the fresh baked crusty bread in the saffron broth. Seafood entrees are truly impressive; try the show-stopping brick oven roasted trout with a lemon rosemary vinaigrette, or the perfectly grilled salmon over a brodetto of mussels and calamari.

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kemoon

Joined 8 years ago

Terrific!. What a terrific, comfortable and well-done neighborhood restaurant! The food is not over the top and has been perfectly prepared every time I have visited Pazzo. The staff is friendly, the bar comfortable and the cooks (who work in an open kitchen) very talented and ready with a greeting for the guests. A gem!

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marcey

Joined 9 years ago

Don't go if you're a vegetarian!. This was my first time trying Pazzo, and I ordered a vegetarian pasta dish that sounded good on the menu. It was among the worst vegetarian meals that I've had in Chapel Hill. I got a bunch of grilled vegetables on dry pasta with no sauce of any sort. My meat-eating friends enjoyed their food, but I'm sick of nice restaurants thinking they can pass off boring food on their vegetarian patrons. It was disappointing, to say the least.

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karenkc

Joined 11 years ago

DEE-LISH!. Excellent atmosphere, awesome food! Great location! What Nana's, 411 West and Magnolia Grill lost with a chef, we gained here in Chapel Hill (Southern Village) at Pazzo. We are extremely fortunate to have one of the finest chefs, who has worked in the best restaurants in the Triangle, right here in Chapel Hill. And the fact that you have a theater (literally across the street) and a beautiful market street walking area is an added bonus. All you could want, all within leisure walking distance. Seth, welcome to Chapel Hill!!

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chilleater

Joined 10 years ago

Crazy is Right. It is crazy that a place this reasonably priced can have such fantastic food. Chef Seth Kingsbury has created a truly one of a kind dining experience. From the easy parking to the warm cozy atmosphere and impeccable service, there is just no going wrong here. I had the stuffed trout and my wife had the duck special, both of which would rival any dish at restaurants as good as Il Polio or the Farrington House. A unique and tremendous desert list topped everything off. I can not say enough about the place especially with no menu item over $20. We are regulars.

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pargolfer

Joined 11 years ago

Rave Reviews. I've eaten at Pazzo several times and was very pleased with my lunch. I did order from the pizzeria both times, and on both occasions I was craving more than I need to indulge in. Let's hope this place will last, because Pazzo is truly a gem in Southern Chapel Hill

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wesgalbo

Joined 10 years ago

Fresh and full of flavor.... If you're looking for something more than just an average plate of pasta, Pazzo offers a fantastic range of extraordinary Italian dishes. Go out of your way to try any entree with roasted tomatoes and Pazzo's antipasto, complete with fresh mozzarella and perfectly peppered capocolla.

One word of caution....the crusty bread and house olive oil mixture are addictive. Make sure you save room for your entree!